Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2024 – Stage 4 Preview

The time trial.

Route

Not your flat, find the right gear and power it home TT. A lot of half-climbs and tempo-switches.
340 climbing meters.

Weather

Not a lot of wind tomorrow, just 2 m/s from the N.

Contenders

Evenepoel – starts as the favorite. It is just hilly enough to give him the edge. He has won the time trial twice, each time he has participated. He has to build a margin to Martinez before stage 5, meaning he won’t hold back.

Ganna – given his current form, I don’t expect him to win. He is not in top-shape just yet. A top-5.

Sheffield – a day to retake the white jersey with a bit of luck. He is destined for great things. I wonder if the length pose a small disadvantage?

Arensman – just keep the Empire coming. We don’t usually see him being this good outside of Grand Tours. Something is different. 8th on Alto da Fóia was a great sign. I think he will finish in the top-5 tomorrow.

Küng – distanced just when the wind changed on Alto da Fóia. It was a very fast ascent this year. He is the man to beat Evenepoel this year around too.

Wout van Aert – not at 100% yet. A podium would be a great result, a top-5 is more plausible. I don’t think he has spent a lot of time on the TT bike in the cross-season.

Tratnik – form is very good just now. A top-10.

Bissegger – He is climbing okay right now. It is often his biggest problem and likely will cost him the podium. Still, top-10 is doable.

Martinez – time to defend the jersey. Does he wear the leader’s jersey or his own? I don’t think it will cost him the stage win. He will be knocking on the podium, just like last season.

Tao G Hart – a top-10.

Who will win?

I will take one for Evenepoel.